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St. Petersburg, FL – Trash can fire at movie theater prompted sprinkler system to activate

The action on screen came to an abrupt halt for Moviegoers at the AMC Sundial 20 Monday evening.

A trash can fire inside the movie house in downtown St. Petersburg activated a sprinkler and prompted an evacuation.

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Lt. Steven Lawrence said firefighters responded to the call at 6:45 p.m. There were no injuries, he said.

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Erie, PA – Several animals rescued after sprinkler system controls fire at environmental center

Firefighters were called to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center to put out a fire in a laboratory room Sunday morning.  It was reported around 5:41 a.m.  An aquarium system caught fire, creating smoke in the east wing of the building, according to West Lake Fire Department.  The fire activated a sprinkler, but firefighters had to extinguish what was left of the fire, the fire department said.  Several turtles and a garpike were rescued.

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Lakewood, WA – Arson fire at casino contained by sprinkler system

On Monday, July 9th at approximately 7:05 p.m., West Pierce Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a structure fire at the Macau Casino, located at 9811 South Tacoma Way in Lakewood. Reports came in as smoke being present in the building and the building was in the process of being evacuated. Crews arrived and determined upon entry the fire was in the women’s restroom. The sprinkler system in the building contained the fire to the restroom and saved the structure, as well as the occupants inside. Without the automatic sprinkler system in place, the fire would have quickly spread and the incident would have been much larger.

West Pierce Fire & Rescue investigators determined the fire was set intentionally and the Lakewood Police Department is investigating.

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Austin, TX – Historical building saved from fire by single sprinkler head

A fire at an Austin landmark appears to have been intentionally set. 36-year-old Matthew James Caldwell is in custody, charged with 2nd degree arson. Damage to The Austin Club from fire, smoke and water is expected to top $100,000.

“When I got down here about 4:20 this morning my heart just sank,” said Ken Richardson, general manager of The Austin Club.

Richardson thought the worst when he first saw firefighters swarming the historical building. He knew what the city stood to lose.

“It really was the first true cultural center in Austin, Texas,” said Richardson.

After getting a closer look, the GM at the Austin Club is now grateful an important piece of state history didn’t burn up.

“Thank God one sprinkler head saved this entire building,” said Richardson.

The club’s significance is plastered on the front of the building. But it’s the stories that bring 140 years to life.

“This building hosted the first UT graduation,” said Richardson. “Buffalo Bill and his military band performed here. We had dancing horses and goats and everything, but I think bears, on the stage here.”

That history was almost lost when a man broke into the private social club through a sidedoor that connects to an alley.

“He had to work very hard to get in,” said Carson Watson, the building engineer at The Austin Club.

Once inside, the intruder appears to have set two fires. The GM thinks he used matches from The Austin Club to try to light a tablecloth on fire. The flame retardant material just melted.

Then the intruder went to the third floor.

“He actually started the fire by lighting one of the tapestries that hangs on the wall,” said Richardson.

The club is decorated with tapestries and expensive antiques, but that’s not what the intruder was after.

“He was caught leaving the building with some alcohol, three bottles of wine and a can of Heineken. So apparently he likes imported beer,” said Richardson.

It’s about $100 worth of alcohol that is ending up costing $100,000 dollars in fire, smoke and water damage. The good news is that an historic building that dates back to 1878 wasn’t added to the bill.

“It’s part of the fiber of what makes Austin, Austin,” said Richardson.

Matthew James Caldwell is charged with intentionally setting the fire. He does not appear to have any connection to The Austin Club.

“We don’t recognize the name at all, so we don’t think he had any ties to the club here at any time,” said Richardson.

“It looks like a completely random crime, just a crime of opportunity,” said Captain Andy Reardon with the Austin Fire Department.

The Austin Club has signs posted on the front door saying it will reopen on Tuesday. The GM says no weddings or other large events need to be moved or canceled.

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St. Petersburg, FL – Grease fire at Tropicana Field extinguished with help from sprinkler system

A grease fire broke out at Tropicana Field Thursday, right as the Rays are about to open their 21st season, officials said. The fire started on the third level of the stadium. Officials said the sprinkler system was activated and the fire was extinguished.  Firefighters later arrived at the scene to clear out the smoke. No injuries were reported. The Rays host the Red Sox for their home opener Thursday. First pitch is slated for just after 4 p.m.

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Fargo, ND – Fire at FARGODOME indoor stadium doused by sprinkler system

A sprinkler did its job and put out a fire at the FARGODOME in north Fargo Monday night.  Firefighters got the call around 11 p.m. and discovered a dryer fire in a storage area on the lower level. They say a sprinkler head in the area had activated and had completely extinguished the flames, which kept damage to a minimum — about $3,000. The cause is under investigation, but is considered to be accidental.

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Nanaimo, BC, Canada – Intentionally-set fire at credit union knocked down by sprinkler system

A man is in psychiatric care after being arrested in Nanaimo yesterday.

Police responded to a break-in alarm at the Island Savings Credit Union branch at Cedar Village Square, 1840 Cedar Rd., shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Police are not identifying the suspect other than to say that he is 54 years old and from the B.C. Interior, but allege he broke windows and lit a fire which led to his arrest.

“He lit a fire in the cardboard recycling area of the receiving bay of the 49th Parallel Grocery store,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. “He also threw a brick through one of the … windows at the credit union and he also broke a passenger side window to a car.”

O’Brien said there was a warrant for the man’s arrest under Canada’s mental health act.

“He offered no resistance. He was arrested immediately.” O’Brien said. “It was apparent to the members that were mental health issues at play and he was taken for a psych exam.”

The man remains in care at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

Percy Tipping, North Cedar Fire Rescue chief, said the fire, that was started in cardboard, spread to some shipping pallets. The heat from the fire triggered the building’s automatic sprinkler system.

“Which was good because it could have been a lot more serious … the sprinkler system took care of the bulk of it for us,” Tipping said.

O’Brien said police are looking at recommending charges, but also are taking into consideration the man’s mental health issues.

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Houston, TX – Sprinkler system contains workplace fire to one room; No injuries reported

On Dec. 18 at approximately 8:00 p.m. Cy-Fair Fire Department requested HCFMO investigators assist with a fire in the 11900 block of FM 529, Houston, TX. Investigators determined the fire started due to an electrical failure of a universal battery charger that was left on a desk.

“The building’s fire sprinkler system activated and contained the fire to one room,” said Public Information Officer Rachel Moreno. “Only one sprinkler head activated, minimizing fire damage and saving the building.”

Employees were in the building at the time of the fire. All fire protection systems operated as designed and limited damage. Investigators estimate the fire caused approximately $20,000 in damage.

The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office Investigations Division is responsible for fire, arson, and explosion investigations in unincorporated Harris County.

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Madison, WI – Sprinkler system helps halt laboratory fire; No injuries reported

A spark from within a work station ignited flammable chemicals in a Madison laboratory Sunday, according to officials.

The fire at Covance Laboratories on Kinsman Boulevard was big enough to trigger the lab’s automatic sprinkler system. In addition to the lab’s automatic fire sprinkler system, a security guard also used a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze, according to a report from the Madison Fire Department. 

When the MFD arrived, the fire was already out. There were no injuries, officials said. 

The MFD’s Hazardous Incident Team also responded to the lab to further investigate the scene and neutralize any remaining chemical hazards, according to the report. 

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McCleary, WA – Fire at old hospital site doused by sprinkler system, which was still functional

The old Mark Reed Hospital building was on fire this morning in McCleary.  Fire District #5 released a statement on behalf of the McCleary Fire Department which says the McCleary FD was dispatched to a possible structure fire Monday October 23rd at about 5:45 AM.

They say Fire District 12 and Fire District 5 were also dispatched for mutual aid.  According to the statement when they arrived at the old Mark Reed Hospital site the fire was located on the east end of the structure spreading from a back porch area up to the roof.

They say the fire was put out, and the roof area was checked to see if it extended to further.  The fire was contained to the east end of the building and because it had a working sprinkler system there was minimal damage inside.

Chief Nott, McCleary Fire said “You can see where the fire started entering the building from the roof and where the sprinklers stopped the spread of it.” They say the cause of the fire is still unknown at this time and it is under investigation.

A fire investigation officer with the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Department will be investigating.